Deborah Liebow
I volunteer to give back the organization and to make sure that homeless pets of Chicago find a forever home. I volunteer to make the jobs of those working for animals a little easier by spreading the No Kill mission of PAWS Chicago. I volunteer to see the look on the faces of adopters when they are taking their new dog or cat home. I volunteer to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded volunteers who love animals.
What originally drew you to PAWS Chicago?
I began volunteering at PAWS Chicago in April 2016 but have been thinking about giving back to this great organization since I adopted my first cat from PAWS many years ago. Lindy (PAWS name Gabriel) came into my life as I walked along Clark Street one day, looked into the window of the first PAWS Chicago Cat Adoption Center, and saw a cat sitting in the back of the cage terrified of everything. I went in to see him and was told I was the first person he came to while he had been at PAWS. I was also told he was five years old, had terrible teeth, had clearly been abused but had been rescued from a kill shelter on the day he was to euthanized. I had wanted a cat back in my life and I took him home that day. We had 10 years together and I could not be more grateful that PAWS Chicago rescued him. How could I not give back by volunteering and hopefully giving another adopter the same wonderful experience I had?
Do you have a primary focus when you volunteer?
My focus has been at Kitty City in the Adoption Center as I have had cats since I was a small child. I am a Level 2 Kitty City Volunteer, Adoption Counselor, and Kitty Center Mentor. However, I am going through dog training soon so I can be conversant on all PAWS animals and can expand my adoption counseling duties to cats and dogs.
Is there one favorite experience or fondest memory/animal story that has stood out or touched your heart during your time as a volunteer at PAWS Chicago?
My favorite experience(s) that have stood out over the past year is when any Level 2 cat gets adopted-- like the recent adoptions of Christopher and Shelley. To see a cat that has been a long-term resident find their forever home—and the right home-- is incredibly gratifying. If our long-term resident, elder statesman and volunteer favorite, Pierre, was to be adopted, I am not sure I could hold it together!
How does what do you do for a career apply to what you do as a volunteer?
I am trained as a lawyer but have been a bookstore manager for over two decades. I am confident that my customer service skills, multi-tasking and other talents gleamed from working with the public for so long has been helpful in the PAWS adoption experience.
Why do you volunteer for PAWS Chicago? What do you enjoy the most about your experiences a volunteer?
I volunteer to give back the organization and to make sure that homeless pets of Chicago find a forever home. I volunteer to make the jobs of those working for animals a little easier by spreading the No Kill mission of PAWS Chicago. I volunteer to see the look on the faces of adopters when they are taking their new dog or cat home. I volunteer to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded volunteers who love animals.
Do you have any PAWS Chicago alumni pets - or any other pets - at home?
I have adopted two cats from PAWS Chicago. Lindy, who has passed on and my current gorgeous girl, Smokey, who was adopted from PAWS six years ago. I am in the hunt for a playmate for Smokey now!
Have you participated in any PAWS Chicago special events that supports animals?
My first volunteering experience outside the Adoption Center was at the Angels with Tails Gold Coast last spring. The program was so well run and so many animals were adopted, I knew that I had found the right place to volunteer. I look forward to helping with other events that spread the word about the mission of PAWS Chicago and continue the important fundraising opportunities which will allow PAWS to help more homeless animals.
What value has volunteering at PAWS Chicago brought you? Anything else you'd like to share regarding your experiences as a PAWS Chicago volunteer?
It may sound like a cliché, but volunteering gives me a sense of satisfaction and the feeling of being needed and appreciated. One of my volunteer shifts is on Wednesday evenings. I come right from work and even though it is a long day I can feel my stress level diminish as I enter the shelter. I know the work I will be doing, whether it is helping a potential adopter or scooping a litter box, is all aimed at one goal—to get those animals adopted. And getting to cuddle some cats is always a good time.
Smokey, Deb's current furry buddy!